Replica gun used in fatal club attack

A man shot dead in a street gunfight between rival gangs in central London was killed with a converted replica pistol, it emerged yesterday.

Analysts from Scotland Yard's Operation Trident squad believe the weapon used to kill Jason Fearon, 26, outside the Turnmills nightclub on Easter Monday had been converted to fire live ammunition. Forensic experts examined a bullet taken from Mr Fearon's body.

Legislation being proposed by the home secretary, David Blunkett, will mainly prohibit the carrying of replica guns and air weapons in public. But amid concern about the number of shootings in London, the mayor, Ken Livingstone, has called for a total ban on replica guns, including on possession in private. He will make the issue a key part of his re-election campaign next year.

Lee Jasper, his spokesman on policing, said: "The Turnmills shooting provides us with yet more indisputable evidence that weapons capable of conversion must be banned outright. The dramatic loss of life suffered by black communities in London and around the country shows there is no alternative.

"Just banning them in public places is really not good enough. What is needed is tough action and clarity."

There are thought to be more than 500,000 replica guns in circulation.

Mr Fearon died after a car chase which started at Turnmills. Gunmen chased a car in which Mr Fearon was a passenger, firing from the windows of their car. Mr Fearon was found dead with a bullet in his head.

Police arrested a 27 year old man at the scene but later released him on bail. Twenty one shell casings were found and it is believed that two types of weapon were used by the attackers, one a semiautomatic.

It emerged that police had been tipped off about the shooting, and responded by parking an empty police car outside the club.